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Cristiano Ronaldo provided the turbo-boosters in Real Madrid’s victory, but the entire team fueled the result with a fine overall performance. While Ronaldo’s pair of goals fill the score-sheet, Kroos, Bale and Casillas also deserve plaudits.

Real Madrid topped Sevilla because of its superior quality, ambition, preparation and perhaps a greater sense of familiarity within its group. Real Madrid’s players returned to the club from 2014 World Cup duty and barely missed a beat in their first competitive game of the season.

It would have taken an outstanding performance from Sevilla — a statistical outlier — for it to win against a Real Madrid team that was playing this well. However, Sevilla struggled to link the midfield and attack, which allowed Real Madrid to dominate the game for long spells.

Real Madrid is vying for six trophies this season, and it’s one for one, so far. Real Madrid will take on Atletico Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup on Aug. 19 and 22. It then begins its Primera Division campaign against newly-promoted Cordoba on Aug. 25.

Sevilla will continue its preseason preparations with its eyes fixed on its first league game of the season — against Valencia on Aug. 23.

That’s all for now and thanks for joining us. Let’s discuss this one on Twitter @NESNsoccer and Facebook. Be sure to keep an eye out for some news, fan reactions, analysis and opinion that is on the way on NESN.com.

76th minute, 2-0 Real Madrid: Ramos and Krychowiak are exchanging words, and Pepe (of all people) rushes in to play the role of peace-maker. The referee tells the players to cool it, and the game continues.

Halftime, 1-0 Real Madrid: That’s the end of the first half. Real Madrid leads by one.

Real Madrid hasn’t hit high gear yet but it deserves the lead it currently holds. The reigning kings of Europe have controlled possession and territory throughout, and one moment of supreme quality — Bale’s pass to Ronaldo — provides the difference.

While James was largely a spectator and had one or two nervous moments, Kroos is sparkling in his Real Madrid debut.

55 - @ToniKroos had the most touches in the first half (55) against Sevilla and a great passing accuracy (95%). Leader.

15th minute, 0-0: Ronaldo hits a powerful free kick, which takes a deflection and goes over the crossbar by a few inches. It’s another corner kick for Real Madrid.

11th minute, 0-0: Bale shoots from 30 yards out, but his effort is deflected and misses the goal (not by much).

Eighth minute, 0-0: There has been a slow start to the game, as the teams seem to be content with holding possession in the midfield while the opponents decline to apply much pressure.

Real Madrid and Sevilla aren’t at peak fitness, so they could be biding their time before they raise the tempo of their play.

Fourth minute, 0-0: Beto saves Ronaldo’s long-range shot.

Real Madrid has controlled possession in the opening minutes, as expected.

First minute, 0-0: The 2014 UEFA Super Cup is underway.

Pregame: The soccer world was wondering how Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti would fit James and Kroos into his existing galaxy of stars. We don’t have to wait long to see how the Italian goes about it.

Midfield mainstays Xabi Alonso and Sami Khadira are out of the squad, while Angel di Maria is on the bench. Luka Modric and Kroos will play deep in the midfield, while James occupies an advanced role behind Benzema.

The 2014 World Cup has created a staggered start to the season for many teams, as players return to their clubs with varying degrees of fitness and focus.

That the transfer market is still open also is a source of intrigue. Teams sometimes hold some players out of a game like this because they are the subject of ongoing transfer negotiations. Sevilla left back Alberto Moreno is one of these players. Sevilla and Liverpool reportedly have agreed to a transfer worth around £12 million ($20.2 million), and the Spanish fullback appears to be bound for Anfield.

Noon ET: European soccer’s continental competitions have been underway for a few weeks, but the spotlight begins to shine on Tuesday when Real Madrid takes on Sevilla in the 2014 UEFA Super Cup.

Real Madrid, the winner of last season’s UEFA Champions League, hopes to win the first of up to six trophies this season. Sevilla, last season’s UEFA Europa League winner, also has high ambitions, but its are much more modest than those of the Spanish giant.

Real Madrid’s gameday squad includes Welsh forward Gareth Bale, who is returning to his homeland as a European champion. New signings Toni Kroos and James Rodriguez also are expected to play a role, as is Cristiano Ronaldo, who has recovered from the injury problems that slowed him toward the end of last season and at the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Sevilla sold midfield fulcrum Ivan Rakitic to Barcelona during the offseason, so it will have a different look this term. Head coach Unai Emery is looking to integrate new signings like center back Nicolas Pareja and defensive midfielder Grzegorz Krychowiak into the team, as Sevilla prepares to compete in three competitions.

Spain’s Primera Division (First division) doesn’t kick off until the weekend of August 23-25, so neither Real Madrid nor Sevilla is at peak fitness or sharpness. But this game counts, a trophy is on the line, and both sides want to lift it.

Spanish clubs are no strangers to this one-game competition.

4 – This will be the fourth European Super Cup played between teams from the same country (1990, 1993, 2006). Countrymen

Cardiff City Stadium in Cardiff, Wales, is the site of the UEFA Super Cup — the unofficial kickoff to the 2014-15 European campaign. The game kicks off at 2:45 p.m. Stay right here for all the action from Cardiff City Stadium.